“What does it take to heal a person’s mind, change their outlook on life and set them on
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PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY
In both the church and the world at large, mental health has historically been a taboo topic. And in our quest for good health, mental health checkups are often overlooked because so many people don’t want to talk about mental health. However, an unhealthy mind usually leads to an unhealthy body.
With all the information available today, getting a mental health evaluation can be as normal as an annual wellness visit to your family physician. Like with treating physical health, there are a variety of services available for mental health concerns. And—equally important— early intervention and ongoing support are key to experiencing long term success. Fortunately, medical insurance often covers both.
Our prayer at OUTLOOK is that your mind and soul will prosper in health, as well as your body.
ON THE COVER READ OUTLOOK MAGAZINE
At AdventHealth, care givers are dedicated to providing hope and healing for
One of the most challenging issues in health care is mental illness. What does it take to heal a person’s mind, change their outlook on life and set them on a path to feeling whole?
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, an estimated 26 percent of American adults ages 18 and older—more than one in four—suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder each year. That’s 53.9 million people according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Diagnosis and treatment can be difficult because people can be affected in nearly 300 ways.
Some of the most common disorders are substance abuse, such as alcohol use; psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia; mood disorders, major depression, or bipolar; personality disorders, such as narcissism; stress-related disorders, such as post-traumatic stress; and neurodevelopment disorders, such as autism. Many suffer with multiple disorders.1
Harmful Consequences
The importance of treatment cannot be overstated. These disorders can lead to chronic physical illness, impaired thought processes, unhealthy habits such as a poor diet and lack of exercise and an increased risk of suicide or self-harm.
More than 49,000 people died by suicide in 2023; that’s one death every 11 minutes, and 1.5 million attempted suicides according to the Center for Disease Control. These numbers highlight the importance of addressing mental health issues promptly. Making a mental health diagnosis can be as normal as visiting a family physician.
The landscape of mental health care encompasses a spectrum of services spanning from therapy to counseling,
Don Fortin, who retired after 52 years of practice as a plastic surgeon, underwent
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and says that since his treatment this has been the “happiest time of my life.”
medications, crisis intervention and others.
Understanding mental health care is not solely about recognizing symptoms but appreciating the importance of early intervention and ongoing support. It involves the interconnectedness of mental, emotional and physical well-being.
Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution; it is a personalized journey toward self-discovery and healing.2
The Burden of Stigma
Perhaps the biggest barrier that keeps people from seeking help is a lack of understanding of the therapeutic process and the stigma often associated with it.
Stigma manifests in various forms, from social stereotypes to self-shaming. It contributes to feelings of shame and isolation, preventing individuals from seeking the help they need.
Silencing stigma requires concerted efforts to break down societal barriers. One effective strategy is the promotion of open dialogues about mental health in various settings— schools, workplaces and community forums. By encouraging conversation, myths can be dispelled and environments created in which individuals feel comfortable seeking the support they need.
Uang Shah, MD, MPH, medical director of behavioral health at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, says normalizing the diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues requires a multifaceted approach. Some of the strategies include education; public awareness to reduce stigmas and myths, encouraging open conversations about mental health to overturn stereotypes and misconceptions, and promoting mental health literacy with helpful resources about the patient’s conditions, symptoms and treatment options. Another important aspect is access to care, increasing health care that’s affordable and culturally sensitive.
Operating for more than 50 years, the Behavioral Health Assessment Center (BHAC) at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission provides no-cost psychiatric assessments, eliminating a major barrier in diagnosing and treating patients. In 2024, the behavioral health center provided 7,300 assessments and 1,900 inpatient services.
Another facility offering an array of services for mental dis-
Testimonies
hospitalized for six weeks with no progress, I was introduced to ECT. Since my treatments, this has been the happiest time of my life—and I’m almost 78. That says something. The care, concern and compassion I received from the ECT team at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission was wonderful. There was never any judgement; I think I judged myself and then was met with encouragement.”
J. Douglas Cusick, MD, surgeon at AdventHealth, and his wife, Barbara, who serves on the hospital and foundation board, also had an experience with mental health treatment after they returned home from vacation and found their son in a mental health crisis. He had attempted suicide. Barbara says, “I asked myself, who do I call. Imagine, I’m on the hospital and foundation board and I’m asking, ‘Who do I call?”
Her son was admitted to BHACE for assessment. “They have an acute care unit and also the ability to continue with counseling, care and oversight of medications,” Dr. Cusick says. “It’s the family that helped us through this. AdventHealth helped facilitate that. They want the family to be active in the counseling and therapy sessions. We had a wonderful experience with this. It helped bring our family
“When many health care facilities have scaled back or eliminated psychiatric services, often because of financial constraints and reimbursement, AdventHealth continues to make a powerful and commendable contribution to serving its community,” says Rennie Shuler-McKinney, LCP, administrative director of behavioral health. “This dedication not only demonstrates commitment, but an understanding that mental health is inseparable from overall health. The dedicated teams are not just maintaining a service, they are providing hope whole person.”
Carlos Medley is a freelance writer for AdventHealth.
1. Diagnostic Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR).
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Cor. 1:3–4 NIV).
When Heather underwent surgery earlier this year, she didn’t expect her recovery to be touched by personal kindness.
However, a thoughtful card soon arrived—signed with familiar names and filled with heartfelt prayers and well wishes. It came from members of the HomePage community who simply wanted her to know she was not forgotten. Heather stated that their kind words and prayers truly meant a lot to her.
This is what encouraging hope and well-being looks like— small acts of care that carry the presence of God and the support of His people.
For more than two decades, HomePage, a company of Seventh-day Adventist believers meeting in Marion, Iowa, has served as the home of Noted Ministry, led by Mavis Dickerson. Mavis, wife of lay pastor, master teacher, and author Ed Dickerson, has deep roots in Iowa—having moved to the state as a youth and attending Oak Park Academy during her adolescence. After spending time out of state, she returned to Iowa in the 1980s to raise a family. That long-standing connection with Iowa’s people and places has shaped and enriched her ministry.
Since 2002, Noted Ministry has quietly become a source of compassion, encouragement and spiritual support. The ministry sends about 30 cards each month, with additional mailings for special events and holidays. More than 10,000 cards have been sent to individuals in Iowa, across the United States, and throughout the international Adventist
community. These aren’t just cards—they’re reminders. Touch points. Threads of care that bind a community together.
Noted Ministry honors a wide range of life experiences: birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, losses and transitions. Cards are also sent on special occasions like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparents’ Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas—times when feeling remembered makes all the difference.
Each card is a gentle signal that someone sees you. Someone prayed for you. Someone remembered your joy, your grief, or your season of waiting. Each card is like a thread on the loom of connection. Together, they weave a tapestry of recognition and validation, a reflection of God’s love in everyday life.
Bigger than one ministry
In recent years, secular initiatives have also begun to spotlight the importance of personal connection. Organizations like Letters Against Depression (founded in 2014) and Letters Against Isolation (launched in 2020) were created to use handwritten communication as a tool for mental health prevention and emotional support.
These programs mirror what HomePage has been doing for more than 20 years—offering comfort and connection through tangible, thoughtful gestures. The science may be new, but the principle is rooted in traditional communication.
Noted Ministry has offered over 20 years of mental and emotional well-being to the Adventist, Christian and secular communities alike in Iowa—a steady, faithful presence consistently making a difference. It is a quiet ministry of presence, woven into the fabric of the Adventist community in Iowa and beyond.
In a time when so many feel forgotten, this ministry serves as an empathetic witness through the journey of life. It gently affirms that those who suffer or struggle are not alone—and that God sees, and His blessings endure.
Shoshannah Guerrero is a multi-generational Adventist, and second generation Adventist living in Iowa.
Mavis Dickerson has led Noted Ministry for over 20 years. This ministry sponsored by HomePage, a company of Seventh-day Adventist believers meeting in Marion, Iowa, has mailed out over 10,000 cards.
Courtesy Shoshannah Guerrero
MODERN-DAY MIRACLES
Join AWR President Duane McKey as he travels the globe to uncover powerful stories of transformation that defy logic and confirm what we already know: God is still working miracles today!
WISAM: A LIFE OF MIRACLES
In this gripping and deeply personal story, Wisam Ali shares how Jesus found him, changed his heart and called him to become a messenger of hope. His journey is a powerful reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love.
GC Delegates Elect a New President,
Over 2,500 delegates to the 62nd General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist’s Constituency Session gathered from around the world in person on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri, to begin the process of conducting business for the Seventhday Adventist Church. The General Conference Session is the highest governing body of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Usually held for 10 days every five years, it is the largest official denominational meeting in the world.
Every union conference selects and sends a specified number of delegates based on membership numbers
to represent over 23 million church members from over 200 countries. Approximately 5% of the 2,804 selected delegates were representing North America (2,508 delegates actually arrived and checked in to vote).
This year’s session themed Jesus is Coming I Will Go was hosted at the America’s Center Convention Complex where leaders and delegates gathered to engage in discussing reports, voting policy, electing leaders and worshiping together.
During the event delegates elected Erton Köhler president (pictured above), and reviewed a report from GC Secretariat sharing statistics since the last session in 2022 (delayed from 2020 due to COVID). A report
from the Treasury Department followed. Based on a request from delegates during the last session, the treasurer’s report was sent to delegates six weeks ahead of the session for their review.
Approximately 40,000 people were in attendance for the final Sabbath worship.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT
GC Officers: Erton Köhler, president
Richard McEdward, secretary
Paul Douglas, treasurer
NAD Officers:
G. Alexander Bryant, president
Kyoshin Ahn, secretary
Judy Glass, treasurer
Over 200 other individuals were elected, including GC vp’s, associates, division officers and departmental directors and associates.
President, Conduct Other Business
GENERAL REPORTS
President: global overview of Total Member Involvement and outreach efforts
Secretary: slight decrease in church growth but progress in mission outreach
Treasurer: Modest increases in world tithe and offerings to fund mission
Division Reports every evening
watch the NAD’s report at:
ON-SITE TRAINING AND RESOURCES
Offered for various ministries including Womens, Childrens, Prayer and Media
VOTES
Organization for 10 new union missions in Inter America and Africa
Church Manual changes
Constitution and Bylaws technical changes
General business/ corporation meeting that the GC is legally required to hold
Watch the sessions, review reports, and follow press interviews at youtube.com/ user/Adventist NewsNetwork
BOOTHS
Hundreds of Adventist organizations and vendors showcasing their ministries, methods and materials
EVENTS
Impact St. Louis: ACS activities for youth and young adults to serve the community
Musical concerts daily in various locations
Film screenings
Women’s and youth meetings
Information compiled by OUTLOOK editor Brenda
Dickerson
Photos: Caleb Durant
IAn Inside Look at GC Session 2025
t is hard to believe the General Conference Session has already come and gone. This year’s session was monumental in a number of ways. I will mention a few.
journey, and elect leadership for the coming quinquennium.
committee. There were 277 people on the nominating committee from all around the world. Only 21 of them were representatives from the North American Division. MAUC had two representatives on the committee: myself and Charo Felix from the Iowa-Missouri Conference (who did an excellent job for all of us).
He was a delight to work with and many excellent leaders were voted into office for the coming five years.
Worship and prayer
First, you cannot overemphasize the joy and excitement of being in one place with people from over 200 countries in the world. It is a rich experience! The diversity of our church now is truly something to behold. We as a church have taken seriously the call to go to every tribe and nation.
It is also amazing to see how Adventists from around the globe work together to create policies to help bolster mission, refine our Church Manual to help guide our congregations in their
Much of my time in St. Louis was spent sequestered as part of the nominating committee. Our task was to prayerfully and thoughtfully select names to bring to the floor to be voted on by the body of delegates. We brought nominations for GC officers and vice presidents, along with department leaders and associates, as well as nominations to populate many committees needed to do the work at the General Conference.
How GC NomCom works
To give you an idea of how the nominating committee works, I will describe my experience as part of this
For me, what I care about the most is that I cannot detect anyone trying to control the room or manipulate an outcome. I want us to have a group of people whose hearts and minds are open to how the Lord is leading. And I felt from the very beginning we had that kind of committee.
The first thing that takes place on the nominating committee is that the incumbent GC president helps the committee select a chair and a secretary from among its members. Then he leaves the room and the committee proceeds with its work. This year Dr. John Wesley Taylor, president of Andrews University, was selected to be the chair and Magdiel Perez Shultz was selected as secretary.
Our first task was to bring a nomination for president. After three hours of prayer and discussion of multiple names, the committee voted to bring Elder Erton Köhler, incumbent GC secretary, as our candidate for president. Despite the desire within the nominating committee and among the delegates for a change in leadership, much respect and gratitude were shown for Elder Ted Wilson’s 15 years of service as our president.
After Dr. Köhler was elected, he joined the nominating committee as a guest to offer his insights on various positions we had to fill.
Worshiping together as a world church is truly a monumental experience. Approximately 40,000 people filled the dome on Sabbath morning, July 12. The congregational singing, the prayers, the special music selections—and of course, the sermon by our new president— were the highlights.
In Elder Köhler’s sermon to the world church, he touched many hearts by the words he shared. A few of his thoughts that meant much to me were: “Our message is based on hope and security, not anxiety and fear...A hopeless world is in desperate need of a hopeful church…The church must be ready to meet the needs of the 21st century…We can adjust our methods but never change our Bible-based message...I count on your prayers, your support, and your kindness…Let us move forward together.”
My encouragement to each of us is to pray for and kindly support our new president, as he has asked. God has remarkable things in store for us as we move forward together!
GARY THURBER is president of the Mid-America Union.
Mid-America Union delegates/special guests at the 62nd GC Session
who is
Erton Köhler?
On July 4, 2025 the World Church was introduced to Erton C. Köhler, the new president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists during the denomination’s 62nd constituency session held in St. Louis. Köhler was elected with a vote of 1,721 to 188.
As the 21st president in the church’s history, Köhler will now guide more than 23 million Seventh-day Adventists around the globe—working closely with division, union, conference, and local church leaders. He follows outgoing president Ted N.C. Wilson, who held the position from 2010 to 2025.
At a press conference following his election, Köhler expressed deep gratitude and a clear vision. “I move forward renewed in my confidence in the Lord and in the church,” he said. “My two priorities are unity and mission.”
A leader with global experience
Köhler brings decades of church leadership to the role. Originally from Brazil, he began his ministry as a local church pastor in São Paulo. Over the years he served as youth ministries director in Brazil and later as president of the South American Division—the youngest person ever to hold that office. “Young people take note, and older ones as well, this is an exciting thing,” Wilson said
while outlining Köhler’s long service in youth ministries.
Since 2021, Köhler has served as executive secretary of the General Conference, where he helped organize global mission strategy and coordinated efforts across divisions.
A vision for unity and action
Köhler’s leadership style blends strong administrative skills with a passion for spiritual purpose. At his first address as president, he emphasized that true success in mission depends on working together. “If we have unity, we will be stronger in mission, and the Holy Spirit will come and live among us,” he said.
He also challenged the church not to become a place of storage, but a “distribution center” for hope, love and truth. His vision points to a church that is outward-focused and mission-driven, not distracted by internal conflicts or programs that do not support soul winning.
North American Division president G. Alexander Bryant shared his support for Elder Köhler stating, “Elder Köhler is taking up the leadership at a very challenging time in earth’s history. However, God never calls a person without equipping him. Elder Köhler is an accomplished and experienced leader. He believes deeply in the mission of the church. He will faithfully lead
AT A GLANCE:
Erton C. Köhler
the church as we move forward. His focus on integrated mission fits perfectly with the North American Division’s emphasis of ‘Together in Mission.’ Let’s pray for him and his family as they take up this awesome responsibility.”
Personal life and education
Erton Köhler was born on June 26, 1969, in Brazil. He earned both his bachelor’s degree in theology (1989) and a master’s degree in pastoral theology (2008) from the Adventist University Center of São Paulo. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Andrews University.
Köhler is married to Adriene Marques, a nurse, and together they have two adult children—Matheus and Marianna.
Hugh Davis is communication director for the Mid-America Union.
Born: 1969, Brazil
Previous Roles:
• GC Executive Secretary
• President, South American Division
• Youth Ministries Director
• Local Church Pastor Education:
• BA in Theology, 1989
• MA in Pastoral Theology, 2008
• Doctor of Ministry (in progress), Andrews University
Key Priorities:
• Church unity
• Global mission focus
• Holy Spirit-led growth
Fun Fact: First South American to serve as General Conference president
Melvin Donadelle / AME (CC BY 4.0)
A NEW DELEGATE’S EXPERIENCE EMPOWERED OVERWHELMED
The moment I stepped into America’s Center Convention Complex for the 62nd General Conference Session, I was swept into a current of humanity—so many people from so many places filling the facility.
While more than 99 percent of the tens of thousands of people in attendance were technically strangers to me, there was still the knowledge that we are all bound by our love of Jesus and our support of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. You can look anyone in the eye and find a smile, a nod, a gesture, a kind glance. We don’t always speak the
same language, but we share the same Spirit. Even the smallest moments feel uniting.
As a first-time delegate and GC Session attendee, I wasn’t certain what to expect. After the 2024 International Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, Wyoming, I anticipated being similarly overwhelmed and overstimulated—and I was right. This was particularly true in the exhibitor hall, with some of the best-designed exhibit booths I have ever seen.
One thing that struck me immediately was the global tapestry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church present
there. As you walked around, you heard the hum of many languages and saw the traditional cultural dress from around 200 countries. About 60 interpreters were employed during the session to provide translations in eight languages. Every session, every motion, every amendment was translated and relayed in real time, keeping the 2,809 delegates united in purpose, if not always in opinion.
Amidst the diversity and density, everything ran with remarkable order. With previous experience in event management, I give sincere praise to the logistics team for maintaining timetables, moving thousands of people expeditiously through food lines, organizing more than 100 vendors, and attending to the needs of multigenerational, multicultural delegates and families. The complex was a machine with a pulse— structured but alive.
A voice, a vote and a sense of belonging
The session floor was a room I never imagined walking into where I didn’t just get a seat, I got a voice with my fellow believers. To be chosen from your region to cast votes that shape the policy and direction of the global church leaves you with the feeling of both humility and a huge sense of responsibility.
Of course, not everything was awe-inspiring. Some items on the agenda moved with lightning speed while others drug on with the number of people at the microphones. Sessions can run long, the mood can shift to irritability, and fatigue can become a spiritual test.
And then there were the commenters, those well-meaning individuals who feel compelled to speak to seemingly every motion, even the ones that seem procedural or self-evident. Yet, the very act of people stepping up to the microphone was one of the most compelling parts of the session. The floor became a window into the values, histories and passions of regions far from our own. It becomes evident that unity in mission may not necessarily mean uniformity in faith experience.
I could say mid-session that I was physically tired but still spiritually energized. Each day at session reminded me that my church family is not just a local congregation or even a national organization, but a global family—passionate, hopeful, messy, and deeply connected. Being a delegate didn’t just given me a vote; it gave me a sense of what it means to belong to a faithful group of Christ’s followers.
Liz Kirkland is communication director for the Rocky Mountain Conference.
Caleb Durant
“Two people are better than one. They can help each other in everything they do.” Ecclesiastes 4:9
he Vikings were strong warriors and skilled sailors who lived long ago in places like Norway, Sweden and Denmark. People across northern Europe feared the Vikings because they sailed from town to town, stealing treasure and sometimes burning buildings. In fact, churches would even pray, “God, please protect us from the Vikings!”
One reason the Vikings were so powerful was their special ships. These ships were light and fast, and the Vikings could pull them right up onto the shore. That meant they could surprise people, attack quickly and sail away before anyone could stop them.
But these ships didn’t have motors, so they had to be rowed by hand using oars. The Vikings rowed their own ships, unlike most sailors who would hire rowers or use slaves. That required a lot of strength, practice and teamwork. Each person had to row at the same time, in the same rhythm, or the boat would go in circles!
So even though the Vikings were strong, they also had to excel at working together. They had to trust each other, follow their leader’s commands, and stay in perfect sync. Without good coordination, they couldn’t have crossed the sea or surprised their enemies. When they jumped off their boats, they fought as a group. Their success came from working as one strong team.
The Vikings’ teamwork reminds me of the story of Gideon. You can read the entire story in Judges
6-7. God told Gideon to lead a battle against a huge army called the Midianites. But over and over God tells Gideon that he has too many men. In the end, Gideon was left with only 300 men! Three hundred against thousands? That’s sounds impossible, but not when you’re on God’s team.
God told Gideon that if the army was too big, the people would think they won by their own strength and wouldn’t give God the credit. So Gideon and his men followed God’s unusual battle plan. At night, they surrounded the enemy camp. Then all at once, they blew trumpets, smashed jars, held up torches, and shouted, “For the Lord and for Gideon!” God confused the Midianites so badly that they ran away and even started to fight each other.
Just like the Vikings rowed together to reach their goal, Gideon’s small team trusted God and followed His plan. We’re stronger when we help each other and work as a team. God didn’t pick Gideon’s army for their muscles; He chose them to show that victory comes from trusting Him and working together.
Remember: just like every Viking had a job on the ship, and every soldier in Gideon’s army had a part to play, you have a special role in God’s plan. And He has chosen you to be on His team.
Kelli Wasemiller is a former Adventist educator who now stays home with her twins Thomas and Hazel. She and her husband, Stephen, live in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Breath of Life Rally Concludes, Leaving Hope in St. Louis Community
The spiritual energy sweeping across the St. Louis metro area in Missouri, United States, continues in the wake of Breath of Life’s Hope Rally 2025, a two-week citywide revival that brought together churches, pastors, and community members under the theme of Almost Home.
The rally, led by Pastor Debleaire Snell, speaker/ director of Breath of Life, began at Northside Seventhday Adventist Church in St. Louis, and ran from June 22 through July 5. Trevor Barnes, who pastors the Northside Church, called this rally “one of the most energetic and united evangelistic efforts” he has seen in St. Louis. The 44 baptisms that took place on Sabbath, July 5, at the conclusion of the rally
were evidence that something special is happening in this city, despite the lingering ravages of tornadoes that seriously damaged a large swath of the city last May.
Elder G. Alexander Bryant, president of the North American Division, attended the finale service on Sabbath at Friendly Temple Church. During his remarks Bryant said, “It’s good to be home,” referring to his time living in St Louis as a youth. Bryant also assured attendees that during the GC Session business meeting on Monday, July 7, a “major contribution” check would be presented by church leaders to St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer for the continuing tornado relief efforts.
Pastor Roger Bernard, then president of the Central
States Conference headquartered in Kansas City, was also in attendance at the Breath of Life closing event. He brought greetings from CSC’s officers and sincerely thanked the Breath of Life team for their dedicated efforts. Appreciation was expressed to musicians, including gospel recording artists Myron Butler and Levi, and the mass choir (pictured below) called Spring into Praise.
During his initial prayer Elder Snell asked God to “give us as much of your Spirit today as we can stand to receive.” Snell’s sermon titled “God Stays Up Past Midnight,” focused on Acts 16: 16. “Spiritual warfare is real,” said Snell. “When you want to give up you have to push through!”
Later in the sermon Snell invited the congregation to read together these words that have been an integral part of the series:
Today, I begin a journey toward the eternal.
I make the wellness of my soul my chief priority.
I will not put off until tomorrow the decision that should be made today.
I realize that tomorrow is not promised to anyone.
So I refuse to waste my energy on haters; my time
on the simple; my wisdom on fools; and I will not make another investment in people who mean my soul no good.
This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.
I have no more time to waste, because we are Almost Home.
Snell reminded attendees that all persons must choose for themselves how they will live their lives on this earth and how they wish to spend their eternities.
New members transition to local churches
For Northside’s church family, this has been more than an event—it’s a movement of hope. Pastor Barnes emphasized that the revival will have a lasting impact in the area.
All newly baptized members (including 13 from an earlier baptism) and community friends were invited to attend Hope University at the Northside Church every Wednesday in July and August. Following a shared meal, Pastor Barnes presented a Bible study series to continue the discipling processes.
Brenda Dickerson is the editor of OUTLOOK magazine.
Photos: Brenda Dickerson
Adventist Church Presents Gift to City of St. Louis for Tornado Relief
During a special segment of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s 62nd General Conference Session on July 7, Erton Köhler, president of the General Conference, welcomed St. Louis mayor Cara Spencer to address delegates gathered in the Dome at America’s Center.
Spencer extended her gratitude to the global Adventist family. “Your church has taken bold steps to meet the needs of communities around the world,” she said.
“We thank you.”
Her words carried special significance in light of the EF3 tornado that struck St. Louis just 52 days earlier— only weeks before the start of the church’s worldwide gathering in the city. In response to the disaster, the Seventhday Adventist Church presented a US$100,000 donation to support ongoing relief and rebuilding efforts across the city.
“When we heard the news, our hearts were heavy and burdened,” said
Paul Douglas, treasurer of the General Conference.
“Therefore, church leaders collectively concluded to do something about it.”
The donation was made on behalf of the global church, with leaders from the MidAmerica Union Conference and the North American Division. President Köhler, along with Mid-America Union president Gary Thurber and NAD president G. Alexander Bryant, joined Douglas in presenting the check to Spencer.
“We pray God’s encouragement and healing as St. Louis rebuilds,” Douglas said during the presentation.
Receiving the donation, Spencer responded, “On behalf of the city of St. Louis, thank you. This investment is one in the future of our community. This means so much to our city.”
Angelica Sanchez writes for Adventist News Network.
Seth Shaffer/Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)
Dakota Camp Meeting 2025
Themed Around Readiness
Each summer, guests and members of the Dakota Conference make their way to Dakota Adventist Academy in Bismarck, North Dakota, for four days of worship, teaching and connection. This year’s camp meeting, held under the theme Prepare Me to Go, brought together many individuals and families from across North and South Dakota for a spiritually rich experience centered on readiness—both personally and missionally.
A new addition to the camp meeting schedule this year was daily morning devotionals, led by Elder Jason Logan and Elder Vernon Herholdt, Dakota Conference officers. These quiet, focused times of reflection set the tone for full days ahead. Throughout the week, seminar speakers Elder Charles Byrd, president of QuestLine Productions, and Elder Cryston Josiah, vice president of administration for the Central States Conference, led attendees
through topics such as repentance, spiritual growth, and the power of God’s Word. Children’s programming ran alongside the adult schedule, offering young attendees hands-on ways to explore faith through stories, crafts and games. Volunteers transformed classrooms with engaging decorations and meaningful activities, creating a memorable experience for every age group.
Evening meetings featured messages from Dr. Bill Knott, associate director of the General Conference’s Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department. Known for his thoughtful storytelling, Dr. Knott spoke with depth and clarity, weaving biblical truth with personal and historical narratives.
Music played a vital role in the evening and Sabbath programs. Janna Wright—head teacher and pastor’s spouse from Invitation Hill Adventist School in Dickinson, North Dakota—coordinated a full lineup of musical groups,
including a ladies’ choir, men’s choir, mixed choir, and numerous special music performances. Elder Josiah also shared his gift of music, joining the praise team as a pianist.
The high point of the weekend came on Sabbath, which saw an estimated 500 people in attendance across the adult and children’s programs. Elder Byrd led the morning Sabbath school, followed by a church service that included a Pathfinder parade, recognition of upcoming retirements, and a strategic vision presentation by Elder Herholdt. Dr. Knott’s Sabbath message,
Setting Captives Free, urged listeners to embrace the freedom found in Christ.
In the afternoon, two pastors were ordained to gospel ministry: Pastor Kris de Bruin (Mandan and Richardton district) and Pastor Casper du Plessis (Bottineau, Minot, and Turtle Lake district). A moving anointing service followed in the Prayer Room, where individuals seeking physical, emotional or spiritual healing received prayer from district pastors, conference leaders, and members of the prayer ministries team.
Saturday evening concluded with a time of remembrance for church members who had passed away since the previous camp meeting, followed by a violin concert by renowned musician Jaime Jorge.
While schedules, speakers and settings may vary from year to year, Dakota camp meeting continues to offer what so many return for: a place to gather, grow and go.
Jodi Dossenko is communication director for the Dakota Conference.
Photos: Jodi Dossenko
Pastors Focus on their Sacred Calling During Ordination Service
“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry” (1 Tim. 1:12 NKJV).
This year during Dakota camp meeting, attendees were blessed to witness the ordination of two pastors. Pastor Kris de Bruin and Pastor Casper du Plessis were recognized front and center, joined by their wives, as the sacred service unfolded.
Pastor Peter Simpson delivered a heartfelt message, reminding both pastors of the One they ultimately serve— and the One who alone can transform hearts. He concluded his message by washing their feet, symbolizing a new beginning in their journey as ordained ministers, the letting go of past mistakes and missteps, and a renewal through Christ’s cleansing grace as they move forward in His high calling to minister to souls.
The message was clear: ordination is not the beginning of ministry but a confirmation of what God has already been doing through them. Yet it also came with a
sobering reminder—without Christ at the forefront, their ministry cannot thrive.
For many in attendance, it was their first time witnessing an ordination. The ceremony was described as moving and powerful, offering insight into the depth of a minister’s calling and the often-unseen sacrifices made by ministers and their families.
What did this service mean to those being ordained? In their own words:
Kris de Bruin:
“Honestly, the whole experience was humbling in the best kind of way. After years of ministry, it was
meaningful to pause, reflect, and be surrounded by people who’ve walked different parts of the journey with me. What stood out most was the reminder that this isn’t a finish line—it’s a recommissioning. Ministry continues to stretch me, challenge me, and keep me dependent on God’s grace.
I keep coming back to this verse from Colossians: ‘For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins’ (Col. 1:13-14, NLT). That’s the story I want to live and share with others.”
Casper du Plessis:
“My ordination was profoundly humbling. Standing before God and His people, I felt the weight of truth: He doesn’t need me, yet in His wisdom, He’s chosen to use me for my own sanctification.
That paradox—of being both unnecessary to His work and essential to my growth—has grounded my
faith in grace rather than in my abilities.
In that sacred moment, every prayer, every late-night wrestling with my calling, every step of preparation crystallized into a clear confirmation: this is the path God has set before me. It wasn’t simply a ceremonial milestone, but a divine ‘Yes’ echoing in my soul, affirming I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”
The journey of ministry is deeply personal yet always rooted in something greater than the individual. As seen through the words of Pastors Kris and Casper, ordination is not about recognition—it’s about surrender, growth and trust in God’s purpose. For those who witnessed the service and those who now read their reflections, the invitation is the same: to step faithfully into whatever calling God places before them.
Jason Logan is vice president of administration and ministerial director for the Dakota Conference.
Photos: Jodi
Dossenko
Guest speaker Peter Simpson washes the feet of Casper du Plessis (left) and Kris de Bruin.
Council Bluffs Church Celebrates Two Years of Homeless Ministry Service
The Council Bluffs Church in Iowa has been serving dinner and providing ministry to individuals facing hunger and homelessness on the fourth and fifth Saturdays of each month since 2022, completing 44 Saturdays of dedicated service at New Visions Homeless Services. The volunteer team, coordinated by Shannon Pigsley, brings more volunteers than needed for kitchen duties because their mission extends far beyond serving food. “We want to be the hands and feet of Jesus,” says Pigsley, who coordinates volunteer and service efforts for the church.
The church’s approach emphasizes personal connection and dignity for every guest served. “We’ll have four or five people serving food, and the rest of us just mingle out in the dining hall,” explains Pigsley. “We probably have another five to eight church members who just talk and engage with the guests. We’ll pick up their trays or bring them a glass of water, or sometimes we offer to pray with them. We want to make them feel special.”
Beyond meal service, the volunteer team regularly brings small gifts, hygiene items, and “dignity bags” to encourage guests. They also distribute Christian literature, including The Great Controversy, which Pigsley notes has been popular with recipients.
“We know we can’t solve homelessness,” acknowledges Pigsley, “but kindness and hope are things we CAN
give.” She coaches and trains volunteers on how to relate to guests with dignity, helping them understand that homelessness can affect anyone.
Two regular volunteers, Alyssa and Michelle, describe their service as transformational. “I was intimidated at first,” admits Alyssa, “but once you jump in, it’s an amazing thing to be a part of.” Both women say volunteering at New Visions has become a treasured time for them.
New Visions Homeless Services highlighted the Council Bluffs church’s dedication during National Volunteer Month. Heather Beekhuizen, community liaison for New Visions, praised the group’s commitment, noting they are among 1,400 annual volunteers who make a difference in the lives of neighbors facing hunger and homelessness.
“The group is all about ‘small acts of kindness,’ but those small acts are huge for our guests,” Beekhuizen wrote in recognizing the church’s service.
Church members view their homeless ministry as one expression of their comprehensive mission approach. “We feel it’s a privilege to serve and be Jesus’ hands and feet. We are called to reach everyone,” explained a church representative. “Our church starts within our church, within our community, within our country, and across borders.”
The homeless ministry represents one of many current ministries at the Council Bluffs Seventh-day Adventist Church, with leadership
indicating that they continue to add new service opportunities to meet community needs.
This ministry exemplifies how local Adventist churches across the Iowa-Missouri Conference are actively living out their faith through community service, providing
both physical nourishment and spiritual encouragement to vulnerable populations in their neighborhoods.
Information provided by Heather Beekhuizen of New Visions Homeless Services and Shannon Pigsley ACS director for the Council Bluffs Church.
Iowa-Missouri Conference
Syrian Government Collapse Complicates Pastor’s Mission to Rescue Parents
Pastor Essam Habib of the Cedar Rapids Church in Iowa successfully brought his parents to safety in December 2024, after a harrowing journey that coincided with the Syrian government’s collapse. The pastor traveled to Syria from Nov. 27 to Dec. 19 to escort his parents to their new home, but found himself witnessing the fall of a government and fleeing the country amid chaos and violence.
Pastor Habib and his wife, Farah, had worked for two years to bring their parents to safety through the immigration process. After finally receiving approval for green card visas in late 2024, Habib made the journey to Syria to accompany his parents to Iowa.
The parents and family of Pastor Habib are well acquainted with the difficulties and strife of life in a turbulent Middle Eastern country. Having moved to the United States in 2017, Habib had last visited Syria in 2023. Shocked by the conditions he observed, Habib found that economically, things had worsened. His father, now retired, was receiving only a very small percentage of his firefighter’s retirement pension payment. The government provided only limited necessities, and his parents struggled in every aspect of existence.
God tells us in the fifth commandment: “Honor your father and your mother…” Pastor Habib and Farah recognized the challenges of bringing their parents to safety—their parents don’t drive, don’t have health
insurance, and don’t speak the language—but they believed God would provide.
They began the application process on May 1, 2023. Finally, in late 2024, the United States granted them their immigration interview in Beirut, Lebanon. However, conflict between Hezbollah and Israel forced their files to be transferred to the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan.
There seemed to be no hope for them to make their scheduled interview in Amman after visa delays, but prayers continued. Their visas to Jordan were received one day before their interview and they made it there safely! Within a few days, they received notification of their green card visa approvals and returned to Syria for a farewell to friends and family.
As Pastor Essam was driving to Chicago to fly to Syria, the opposition was preparing to overthrow the government after 14 years of conflict. Three days after arriving at his parents’ home in Syria, all borders closed and political opposition
groups began warring.
Unsure if he or his parents would ever be able to leave Syria, he traveled to Damascus, where he thought things would be less dangerous. Instead, he found chaos in the streets, with people randomly shooting in the air and prisoners freed from jail. The day he was in Damascus coincided with the government’s fall, and he witnessed the horror of a country’s government in collapse.
The next day, he traveled from Damascus to Beirut, Lebanon, where he arranged to meet an international cab driver. As he waited, he saw prisoners walking on the road, still shooting, leaving still-warm bullets on the ground like sand.
They sped away in the taxi at 180 km per hour (112 mph), hoping to escape wayward bullets. Traveling the road, they witnessed burned tanks, overturned police cars, burned buses, and armed people shooting in the air.
A few hours later, they found that only one airline was
operating flights, with no other departure options available until January 2025. Originally, they were to fly from Jordan, but now they must fly from Lebanon. By the grace of God, reservations were successfully made because two days after arriving in Lebanon three more airlines began flying due to a new truce.
On Dec. 15, 2024, the three of them arrived safely at their home in Iowa. Pastor Habib says, “Since then, it has been only a blessing having my parents live with us, safe and sound. Having family worship every night and seeing my non-Adventist parents eagerly waiting for their turns to read the Word of God has paid off all the work we have done and reminded us once again that God is good,” Habib concluded.
Carol Bradley is communication director for the Cedar Rapids Church in Iowa. Cedar Rapids
Read the full story at outlookmag.org/ escape-from-syria
Kansas Doctor Honored as National Guard Field Grade Physician of the Year
Dr. Eric Easey, a member and head elder of the Bazine Church in Kansas, was recently honored with the 2024 Air National Guard Field Grade Physician of the Year award. This national recognition is given each year to just one physician across the entire Air National Guard.
Pastor Mike Bremer, who pastors the Bazine, Hays and La Crosse district, shared the exciting news. “While he was on his weekend drill training in May, two representatives from Washington, D.C., presented him with the award.
Congratulations Dr. Easey!” said Pastor Bremer.
The Field Grade Physician of the Year award is highly competitive. Each of the 89 Air National Guard units submits a nomination to the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C. A panel then reviews these nominations and selects the most deserving candidate. To qualify, a physician must hold the rank of major, lieutenant colonel, or colonel. Judges consider the number of medical exams provided, personal awards and medals, annual performance reports, and whether the physician has deployed, including how long.
From October 2023 to April 2024, Major Easey deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Forces. During this time, he provided care to over 2,000 military personnel and took part in a
mass casualty response after a Class 1 aircraft mishap. For his work during this deployment, he received both the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air and Space Achievement Medal.
Major Easey serves as a flight surgeon for the 117th Air Refueling Squadron Medical Element and the 190th Medical Group at Forbes Field Air National Guard Base in Topeka, Kansas. He also leads laboratory services for the unit. His entire 14-year military career has been with the 190th Medical Group. He first joined in 2011 as a Medical Service Corps Officer. After completing medical school and a family medicine residency, he became a flight surgeon in 2022.
In addition to his military service, Major Easey works as a rural family medicine physician in Ness County, Kansas. There he cares for patients in the clinic,
emergency room, acute care, swing bed, and long-term care. He also serves as Chief of the Medical Staff at Ness County Hospital, medical director for Ness County EMS, NCH lab director, and medical director of Cedar Village Long-term Care.
Major Easey and his wife, Maidellyn, have been married for 22 years. They have twin boys who will turn 19 this August and who will be attending Southwestern Adventist University.
“God has blessed me with multiple opportunities to serve Him and to serve our nation,” said Major Easey. “Receiving a national award for simply going where He sends me is humbling.”
His story stands as an example of dedication and service, both to his country and to his faith community.
Saul Dominguez is communication director of the Kansas-Nebraska Conference.
Camp Meeting Sparks Hearts with Pentecost Theme
The 2025 Kansas-Nebraska Conference camp meeting brought members from across the region to College View Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, May 28- 31. Centered on the theme Pentecost: Ignite the Fire, the gathering encouraged everyone to rediscover the courage, unity and passion of the early church.
Each day saw a few hundred people in attendance, but by Sabbath the sanctuary was filled with more than 1,200 worshipers, not even counting the many kids, youth and young adults in programs across the building.
“We’re glad you’re here; we’ve prayed that God will bless you and that you’ll be
Courtesy Eric Easey
Photos: Emma Bermeo
closer to Jesus when you leave,” said Kansas-Nebraska Conference president Ron Carlson, welcoming everyone on opening night.
Evening speakers brought messages designed to fan spiritual flames. José Cortés Jr., associate director of the North American Division Ministerial Association, preached on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. “The disciples turned the world upside down not because they had more education, not because they had more programs, but because they were filled with the Holy Spirit,” Cortés Jr. said, urging listeners to rely completely on God’s power.
John Bradshaw, president of It Is Written, spoke on Friday and Sabbath. In his Sabbath morning sermon he shared, “God can use one person, completely surrendered to Him, to change the course of history. That’s the power of one.” Later that evening, Bradshaw urged, “If you really want to live, you have
KANSAS-NEBRASKA
Throughout Thursday and Friday, seminar speakers covered a wide range of practical and spiritual topics. Royce and Laurie Snyman led a marriage series titled We Still Do, encouraging couples to grow stronger together. David Klinedinst shared on personal evangelism and how to give effective Bible studies. Delores Mishleau presented healthy cooking and lifestyle talks, while David Sedlacek spoke on trauma, mental health, and
building intimacy with God. Grant Agadjanian’s sessions urged parents to reclaim relationships with their children through Christ. The NAD Children’s Ministries team also provided training on Alive in Jesus, the new Sabbath school curriculum being phased into churches across the division.
Kids enjoyed morning, afternoon and evening programs crafted just for them. Young adults gathered daily for worship, discussions and Sabbath evening social activities. Youth took on two
service projects: handing out gift cards to shoppers at local grocery stores and visiting a nursing home where they delivered handmade cards and spent meaningful time with residents.
Friday morning brought the annual Fun Run at Holmes Lake Park, where participants completed either a 1 mile or 5K course and enjoyed some lighthearted fellowship. Throughout the week, many also visited the interactive prayer room or joined early morning prayer walks, asking God to bless each classroom, the sanctuary, and every person attending.
By Sabbath afternoon, a concert by the Heritage Singers capped off a weekend of worship, learning and connection. Camp meeting may have ended, but for many the spark lit there is only beginning to burn.
Saul Dominguez is communication director for the Kansas-Nebraska Conference.
to die. Die to self, die to sin, so Jesus can live in you.”
Photos: Emma Burmeo
From Small Town to Big Impact
Minnesota members inspire with Pentecost 2025 evangelism
At the 62nd General Conference Session, Denzil and Donna McNeilus from the Minnesota Conference shared how personal ministry in their small town sparked a spiritual movement, aligning perfectly with the Global Total Member Involvement strategy and the North American Division’s Pentecost 2025 initiative.
Total Member Involvement, or TMI, is a worldwide call for every church—and every member—to become actively involved in making disciples using Christ’s method. It focuses not just on evangelism, but on developing a disciple-making culture in every local church. With Pentecost 2025, the North American Division is aiming for at least 3,000 proclamation initiatives in 2025, supported by a year
of preparation in 2024. The McNeilus family is living proof of what happens when members fully engage in the mission.
“COVID forced us to look closer to home,” said Denzil. “Once we started working locally, our lives completely changed.” Together, the McNeilus family began giving Bible studies and helping people come to Jesus. But the real turning point came when Donna felt impressed to begin daily prayer at their local church in Dodge Center, Minnesota.
“At first Denzil didn’t think it could happen,” Donna admitted. “But I told him we are called to pray—for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. And we’ve been doing that every day since.”
That daily prayer
commitment transformed their church. People began walking in off the street asking questions. The church became more united. “We saw things we’d never seen before,” Denzil said.
With renewed energy, the church held an evangelistic series in their small sanctuary. Despite living in a town of only 3,000 people, over 60 visitors came to watch a video presentation about the gospel. From that meeting, Bible studies and small groups began to form.
One remarkable story came from a man who received a visit from colporteurs (Christian book distributors). He was handed a copy of The Great Controversy and unknowingly signed up for Bible studies. Within two days, he had three separate encounters related to Seventh-day Adventists and Saturday worship. That Sabbath morning, unsure of what else to do, he came to the Dodge Center church.
The McNeilus family welcomed him, invited him to lunch, and included him in their Bible study group. Eventually, he joined the church. But it didn’t stop there. “He said, ‘I want to know more about Jesus,’” said Denzil. “I told him, ‘Then you need to start giving Bible studies.’ And he did.”
Now that man is leading a literature ministry team at the church and distributing books around town. “That’s the power of multiplication,”
Denzil said. “Not just adding new members, but making disciple-makers.”
The McNeilus story perfectly illustrates the five phases of disciple-making: preparing the soil, planting the seeds, cultivating interest, harvesting decisions, and preserving the harvest. Their efforts have touched every phase—from health and friendship-building to Bible studies, evangelism, and new member training.
As members of ASI (Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries), Denzil and Donna are no strangers to ministry. But they believe the key to true impact is personal labor—the core principle of TMI. “We’ve had the joy of seeing people come to Christ and then start sharing their faith, teaching Sabbath school, and leading Bible studies,” said Donna. “It’s beautiful.”
Pentecost 2025 calls every Adventist in North America to get involved in sharing the gospel, and the McNeilus family shows that big results can come from even the smallest towns. Their experience is a reminder of Jesus’ promise in Matt. 24:14—“This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world… and then the end will come.”
To learn more about Total Member Involvement and access training and resources, visit globaltmi.org. Every member. Every church. Every mission. We are in this together. Hugh Davis is communication director for the Mid-America Union.
Royal Sisterhood: Women’s High Tea Celebrates Faith, Mental Health and Community
InMay more than 100 women and girls gathered at Southview Church in Eagan, Minnesota, for the Daughters of the King high tea—a celebration of faith, sisterhood and mental health awareness. Hosted by the church’s Women’s Ministry, this annual event doubled in attendance from the previous year and welcomed guests of all ages, including girls as young as 10.
This year’s tea party extended beyond the Adventist community. For the first time, women from different faith backgrounds joined the celebration, opening the door for spiritual conversations and new friendships. Held in Southview’s newly acquired church building, the elegant setting created a warm, welcoming environment where every guest felt seen, supported and valued. The event featured food
that accommodated all dietary needs, and the church’s youth and deaconesses helped set the stage— literally and figuratively. Carefully chosen decorations and intentional discussions helped create a space where deep connections could grow.
The high tea began in 2019 as Afternoon Tea with Pastor T, started by former Women’s Ministry leader Mary Nyarusa and Pastor Darnisha Thomas. That first gathering focused on sisterhood through the biblical story of Mary and Elizabeth. Though the pandemic paused the event, it returned in 2024 with the name Daughters of the King, led by Sister Pauline Misiak. The theme continued this year with renewed purpose: to honor all women, married or not, and help young girls feel confident in their identity as daughters of God.
The event also featured a special mental health session facilitated by Sister Jane Nyachae, a mental health expert, with support from Pastor Darnisha Thomas and Elder Alison Pichel Mentorship played a key role in the gathering. Women of all ages led and learned from one another. As attendee Ceciliah Mwebi described it, “The tea party was a heartwarming and enriching gathering. A special highlight was the mentorship session, led by both young and older women, which provided spiritual nourishment and opportunities for personal growth.”
Many guests shared how meaningful the day was for them. Phebe Samson appreciated the talks on mental health and the beautiful decorations. “It was a great way to connect with the other girls and ladies,” she said.
Cindy Kaigama, who recently lost her husband to cancer, attended with her daughter. “We were grateful to have the opportunity to fellowship with others. It blessed my family to be invited.”
Mary Nyarusa shared a joyful message of thanks, joking about learning to wear her hat properly for the occasion and praising the team for creating an amazing “only women” party. She gave special thanks to the leader Pauline and her team.
In a touching act of care, gift bags with Bible verses were delivered to a woman recovering from surgery and her daughter who had recently been baptized. This thoughtful gesture reminded everyone that the spirit of the event extended beyond the walls of the church.
Behind the scenes, the event was made possible by a team of women who used their talents to bring the vision to life. Leaders like Marie Denniston, Lynette Nyabuto, Dr. Yolanda Lewis, Pauline K. Misiak, Jane Nyachae, Dr. Cheryl Saunders, and Alison Pichel played key roles in planning and hosting the event. One committee member summed it up by saying, “We poured our hearts into this project, and it was all worth it to experience eating as Daughters of the King.”
By Pauline Kenyanya Misiak, as told to Hugh Davis
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CONFERENCE
From 110 Hands to 21,120 Meals
Addison Gann, a junior student at Campion Academy in Loveland, Colorado, has taken her title as CA student outreach coordinator very seriously, sponsoring several different projects during the school year.
In late winter, Gann contacted Harvest Pack,* an organization out of Saint Paul, Minnesota, that supplies non-perishable food and all the equipment needed for it to be re-packaged into individual portions. Volunteer groups raise the money to pay for the raw material and provide the people to do the packaging.
Gann went to work raising $6,000 to fund the project through friends, church supporters, and others, and she organized the event with the hope of filling 20 thousand meals for those in need.
Addison called the project Feed His Sheep.
On Saturday afternoon, May 3, around 110 Campion Academy and HMS Richards Adventist School students and church members, young and old, gathered in the HMS Richards gym to be the “Hands and Hearts of Jesus.” Everything was well organized and ready for them, and they set to work.
In about an hour, they filled 21,120 breakfast packs, each containing preparation instructions and specific amounts of oatmeal, cinnamon and sugar. The meals were delivered to the Food Bank of the Rockies,* which will distribute them to smaller food banks near Loveland, directly supporting the local community.
Gann says, “Each time a
box of 40 meals was completed, a bell rang, followed by cheers of encouragement. Laughter and friendly competition filled the room with teams creating their own chants and celebrating each milestone together.”
“The name of the event is drawn from Jesus’ words to Peter in John 21:17: Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep’,” she continued. “This simple command reminds us that our love for
Christ is shown in how we care for others—especially those who are hungry, struggling or alone. Now there are 21,110 chances for someone to feel the caring love of Jesus.”
* Harvest Pack and Food Bank of the Rockies are not affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Conference or the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Ardis Stenbakken is the Campion Church communication director.
HMS Richards School Joins Pentecost 2025
HMS Richards Adventist School in Loveland, Colorado, is honored to be one of over 3,000 locations participating in Pentecost 2025—a global evangelistic initiative set forth by the North American Division designed to share the message of Jesus in local communities around the world.
“We’ve already embraced this call, beginning intentional outreach to our neighbors—the 120 homes surrounding HMS Richards—back in December 2024,” recalled Carey Jordan, HMS Richards principal. “Since then, our students have made four visits to these homes, with two more planned.”
The Rocky Mountain Conference is pleased to announce that David VandeVere accepted the nomination to become the new RMC president, effective August 1. After careful consideration during a special evening session on June 2, the RMC Executive Committee voted to extend an official call to VandeVere.
The presidential search began after Mic Thurber, former RMC president, announced his retirement starting March 1 of this year at the RMC Executive Committee meeting held February 18. The committee received and vetted over 50 nominations, with the facilitation of officers from the MidAmerica Union Conference.
“This process was marked by genuine cooperation on the part of the Executive Committee. Every name submitted was thoughtfully followed up on, and the committee prayerfully considered each one,” recalled Gary Thurber, MAUC president, who chaired the process.
“After much discussion, review and prayer, they voted to extend the call [to David VandeVere],” he continued. “I was so grateful to work with this committee. They took their task very seriously, were committed to prayer, and worked well together. It was a blessing to be part of the process. David VandeVere is a man who loves his Lord and loves his church. He will be
an outstanding leader for the Rocky Mountain Conference.”
VandeVere graduated from Southern Adventist University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting. He then earned his Certified Public Accountant license and received Trust Certification from the General Conference Trust Committee. In 2006, he completed the Pastoral Coaching Systems program through Ministry Advantage in Dallas, Texas, and was ordained in 2007.
VandeVere has held various leadership roles throughout his career, including serving as a public accountant, treasurer/secretary for the Minnesota Conference, and lead pastor of Damascus Grace Fellowship in Damascus, Maryland, for 10 years before returning to financial ministry in 2014.
While serving as the vice president of finance for the Potomac Conference, VandeVere led several strategic initiatives, including restoring adequate working capital reserves, developing an integrated finance committee for the conference and its institutions, implementing a debt-relief program for academies, and launching a recruiting process to attract young accounting graduates from Adventist colleges.
VandeVere previously served as vice president for finance for the MAUC, a role
David VandeVere became the new RMC president on August 1, 2025.
he held since October 2021. In this position, he served the members of the Mid-America Union by overseeing finances and promoting stewardship.
As the ninth RMC president since its restructure and merger with the Wyoming Conference in 1981, VandeVere will serve as the spiritual and administrative leader to the churches, schools and ministries within the conference. He will guide the conference’s mission and vision, fostering unity with the broader mission of the Global Church and serve as a chairperson for various committees.
Additionally, VandeVere will emphasize team and leadership development in the pastoral, educational and administrative spheres. He will also represent the conference at broader organizational levels.
“I’m humbled, yet excited by the invitation to lead the team in the Rocky Mountain Conference,” remarked VandeVere. “I believe the Spirit is calling us to unity
of purpose, especially in this time of societal turmoil and chaos. He will empower the uplifting of our Savior Jesus Christ and His soon return.”
Doug Inglish, RMC vice president for Administration, commented, “I have known Elder VandeVere for years, and he is a very spiritual, capable and humble leader. I am very excited at this opportunity to work with him, and I believe RMC will prosper with him as our president.”
“I have gotten to know Dave quite well over the past several years in his current role, and I am really looking forward to working with him here,” RMC vice president for finance Darin Gottfried remarked. “I believe that Dave’s approach to leadership will help strengthen our employees and grow the church in exciting ways.” Dave is married to Cindy and they have two sons, a daughter-in-law and two grandsons.
RMCNews with Hugh Davis, MAUC communication director.
Hugh Davis
UNION ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY
Union Adventist University Welcomes New Chaplain
Mollie Dupper is ready to support students in ministry
A2014 Union graduate,
Mollie (Cummings) Dupper knows the pivotal role Campus Ministries plays in the lives of students. “I love Union,” Dupper said. “I loved being a student here, I loved working in Campus Ministries, and I met my husband here. I really have a heart for Union Adventist University. This place shaped who I am as a person and how I have served in ministry ever since.”
Buell Fogg, Union’s associate chaplain, has long been a mentor to Dupper. “I’ve known Molly since she was a seventh grader at North Star Camp,” Fogg said. “I have seen God lead her to Maplewood, and to Union, throughout her career and now back to Union. I can’t wait to see how the Lord continues to lead through her. I am so excited!”
According to Dupper, Fogg is the reason she chose Union as a student. “He came recruiting at North Star Camp when I was 12,” Dupper recalled. “I remember thinking, How can I be like that guy when I grow up? I can’t believe I get to work with him now!”
She also credits Rich Carlson, chaplain emeritus, as a mentor and major influence on her ministry. “My freshmen year, I came to Union so jazzed to work in Campus Ministries, but all the jobs were already filled,” she said. “I went to
Pastor Rich’s office and asked, ‘How can I get involved?’ He turned the question around and asked what ministry I wanted to create.” She and a friend developed a proposal to partner with faculty and staff to host students once or twice a month in their homes. They named their ministry Soul Food.
“I knocked on Pastor Rich’s door hoping for a position that already existed, but being given the space to actually make something — to look for a need then create a ministry to serve that need — was a big learning moment,” she said. “It’s not just stepping into positions others have built, but looking around
prayerfully to find a need that isn’t already being met. That shaped the way I look at ministry.”
Armed with a degree in religious education, Dupper’s post-college career began as a Bible teacher at Collegedale Academy in Tennessee. After marrying Carl Dupper, also a 2014 Union graduate, she joined him in Florida where he worked for AdventHealth, and she served at WholeLife Seventh-day Adventist Church as first a youth pastor, then young adult pastor, and finally senior pastor before moving to the Spring Meadows Seventhday Adventist church, also in Florida, where she
worked once again in youth ministry. Meanwhile, her husband had a meteoric rise at AdventHealth, becoming CEO of AdventHealth Central Florida just five years after graduating from Union. Following the pandemic and having just welcomed their first child, the couple decided to move to Carl’s home state of Colorado. They launched a home cleaning service, TidyTask, which continues to expand under Carl’s leadership. Most recently, Mollie has been an associate pastor at the Boulder Church.
“In each ministry setting, whether a school, a youth group or a young adult ministry, I’ve adopted the
Mollie Dupper receives her graduation hood from Dr. Rich Carlson upon completing her master’s from Andrews University. Union
model I learned from Pastor Rich at Union: servant leadership, giving space to journey with Jesus, offering the freedom to identify an unmet need, and helping find the resources to create a ministry,” Dupper said. “Everywhere I’ve had the opportunity to do that, it’s been amazing seeing the transformation as youth and young adults come alive: becoming followers of Jesus and leaders of ministry.”
Though living in Colorado, her children (Wesley, age 4, and Alice, 18 months) already feel like Nebraskans. Many of the classes she took while
UNION ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY
completing her master’s in pastoral care from Andrews University met on Union’s campus, and she chose to march in Union’s graduation to receive her diploma in May. Dupper said, “My son has come to Lincoln so many times, when I asked him what his favorite place is, he said, ‘Nebraska!’ Taking my master’s classes on Union’s campus has been a lot of fun for me and the kiddos.”
A new chaplain is not the only major change in Campus Ministries for the 2025-2026 academic year. The office has been relocated to the former Career Center just off
the Atrium of the Don Love Building. The remodeled space features three offices, a larger lounge area and a kitchen. The move is part of an effort to make the Atrium the hub for student life and activities, joining the athletics office, library, Student Association offices, Student Center, Student Health, Student Success, and Writing Center on the north side of the Don Love Building.
“I’m really excited to get to know the students, faculty and staff: the Union of today,” Dupper says. “I want to hear what God is placing on their hearts and what God
is calling this student body to do. I am praying I can be a support to them, to remind them who they are in Christ, that they are absolutely loved by Jesus Christ, and that He is journeying with them.”
Carlson shared his excitement to see Dupper in the role, saying, “Mollie comes with good experience, and even more importantly, a good spirit. She has a great heart for Jesus, and that’s the best gift she can share with the students.”
Scott Cushman is director of public relations at Union Adventist University.
Children sit in and around a kayak at Union Adventist University’s booth at the 2025 General Conference Session in St. Louis, Missouri. Each side of the booth featured a different aspect of the university. In addition to the kayak highlighting the International Rescue and Relief Program, a chemistry set represented academic rigor, a rain shower of coins represented scholarships, and the fourth side was dedicated to the legacy of mission service symbolized by the Golden Cords. Union’s booth was featured in the special Session Bulletin published by the Adventist Review on July 11.
Union Adventist University
ADVENTHEALTH ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Three Wishes Project Brings Comfort and Closure to Families and Nurses
Aprogram at AdventHealth Littleton offers comfort and support to dying patients in the ICU. The project, called Three Wishes, gives the patients and their families something tangible during a difficult time while also helping them process their emotions. The project has come to life thanks to the hard work of ICU nurses Carmel Benavides, Lauren Gano and Grace Pippin, with funding support from the AdventHealth Littleton Foundation.
“Three Wishes is an evidence-based practice project that allows staff to give the patient and their family three wishes at the end of life, to help the process become more personal,” said Benavides.
Patients who are transitioning to comfort care are encouraged to choose three wishes from a predetermined
list. The wishes are meant to dignify their death and celebrate their life. Some of the common wishes include capturing the patient’s heartbeat via doppler or by printing out an EKG, collecting a lock of their hair or a fingerprint, and allowing a loved one to lie in bed with a patient.
“A lot of times, family members aren’t able to think of anything that would be helpful at the end of life, because they’re so overwhelmed losing a loved one,” said Gano. “This list gives them a starting point so they have something to go home with, that they may not have had otherwise.”
“One of my favorite wishes are our cloth hearts. One is pinned to the patient and stays with them, while the other is given to the family. I think it gives people a lot to hold on to as they leave,” said Pippin.
The team is also always happy to facilitate other wishes that patients or their families come up with on their own.
Since the project launched in July 2024, the ICU has been able to fulfill at least 30 wishes.
“The response we’ve had from family members has been overwhelmingly positive. They are always so grateful and thankful,” said Benavides. “So many times we tell family that we want to make their loved one as comfortable as possible, and most families assume that means just giving them medication. Three Wishes helps families realize we take their loved one’s passing very seriously, and that we really do care.”
While the program has had a powerful impact on families, it has had an even greater impact on the nursing staff. Three Wishes is helping
reduce nurse burnout by allowing team members to connect with their patients in a meaningful way and is also providing them a way to cope with the loss of a patient.
“I remember as a new nurse, losing my first patient and not knowing how to handle it. You want to be there for the family, but often, you don’t know how,” said Gano. “I think Three Wishes makes it all easier to process.”
“In my first three months as a nurse in the ICU, I had seen more deaths than in my entire nursing career and it was very difficult for me. That’s why I love this project, because it allows us to make the ICU feel less sterile and even more loving,” said Benavides.
“I joined the ICU as a new grad last year, and death can often be very sudden, which makes it even harder,” said Pippin. “Three Wishes has made my transition into nursing much smoother, because I feel like I get to help people on what can often be the worst day of their life.”
Benavides, Gano and Pippin have big plans for the project. They recently expanded Three Wishes to the entire hospital, so that every nurse, patient and family member who experiences a loss at AdventHealth Littleton gets to experience the same comfort and closure.
Robin Clutters is regional manager for communications and public relations at AdventHealth Rocky Mountain Region.
Courtesy of AdventHealth
EMS Crews and Care Teams Help Couple Say ‘I Do’ in the Hospital
In April 2024, Mike Rounkles and Cassie Montgomery unexpectedly experienced lifesaving cardiac care and a hospital-bedside wedding–all in the same day–thanks to the quick action of the couple, Johnson County MED-ACT MEDACT and the team members of AdventHealth Shawnee Mission’s Cardiac Care Unit.
“After putting our kids to bed and watching a rerun of Jimmy Fallon’s Password, we turned in for the night,” said Montgomery. “Just after midnight, I found myself calling 911 as Mike was experiencing chest pains.”
The couple was looking forward to celebrating their wedding on April 24, but, instead, that morning, Rounkles was experiencing a heart attack. He was transported by MED-ACT to AdventHealth Shawnee Mission’s emergency room and immediately treated by Emergency Medicine Physician Dustin Keffer, DO, and was admitted to the coronary care unit for cardiovascular surgery with
interventional cardiologist Ammar Habib, MD.
And yet, during this medical emergency, Rounkles was still determined to marry his fiancée that day. They wed in the hospital one hour before he was scheduled to undergo surgery to repair the blockage to the anterior descending artery. Team members of the CCU, Dr. Habib and hospital administration joined the couple to witness the marriage ceremony, facilitated by chaplain Elizabeth Marin Rodriguez
It takes a village From the moment Montgomery called 911 to the arrival of MED-ACT to the operating room, Rounkles received the life-saving care he needed and was discharged to go home with his new wife.
In recognition of National EMS Week, on May 22, 2025, the couple reunited with the paramedics from MED-ACT who attended to Rounkles that day in a celebration recognizing the dedication of emergency medical services professionals.
“We’re proud to honor a remarkable story of love, resilience and life-saving care,” said Laurie McCormack, executive director of the AdventHealth Kansas City Foundation, who emceed the event. “We’re proud to celebrate Mike and his wife, Cassie, our extraordinary emergency and cardiac care teams and our invaluable EMS partners at Johnson County MED-ACT who dedicate themselves to protecting our community’s health and safety every single day.”
An imperfectly perfect wedding
“The staff had gone above and beyond, providing flowers, a cake and even a ‘just married’ sign for our door,” said Montgomery. “The chaplain read Corinthians 13, and we received a heartfelt marriage certificate. It was an imperfectly perfect wedding, filled with raw emotion and gratitude.”
As soon as the ceremony ended, Rounkles was wheeled off to surgery with Dr. Habib. Montogomery and their family waited anxiously with their minds racing.
“After what felt like an eternity, we learned that Mike had undergone a more complicated procedure than expected,” said Montgomery, “with four stents placed to address a 95% blockage to his heart.”
What Rounkles had suffered was known in the medical world as the widowmaker, a heart attack that occurs when the left anterior descending artery that supplies
oxygen-rich blood to the heart is completely blocked.
When it comes to any heart attack, quick intervention and treatment is essential.
The survival rate following a widowmaker heart attack is only 12% when it occurs outside of a care facility.
Reflecting on the events, the newlyweds realized that everything had happened for a reason. Had they overlooked his symptoms and gone through with their original wedding plans, Rounkles might have suffered a widowmaker before Montgomery could even become his wife.
Instead, MED-ACT and AdventHealth’s Emergency Room and CCU care teams were able to intervene at the right moment. Because of that, the couple got to spend their wedding day together with his health on the mend and their love stronger than ever.
“On my 40th birthday, I woke up in a hospital bed next to my best friend, grateful for the fresh start and the new decade ahead,” said Montgomery. “It wasn’t the celebration we had imagined, but it was humbling and filled with hope.”
AdventHealth Shawnee Mission
FAREWELL
Anderson, Lonnie, b. July 23, 1959 in Greeley, CO. d. June 28, 2025 in LaSalle, CA. Member of Estes Park (CO) Church. Survivors include wife Jan; daughter Tiffany; 1 sister; 1 granddaughter.
Baker, Bob Vern, b. Aug. 10, 1932 in Leola, SD. d. Feb. 15, 2025 in Sun City, AZ. Member of Sun City Church. Survivors include wife Myrna; daughters Kathy and Tammy; son Dick; 3 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren.
Bromme, William Richard, b. Dec. 21, 1936 in Duluth, MN. d. June 11, 2025 in Dayton, MD. Preceded in death by wife Joan. Survivors include children Jeff, Shayne and Ginger; 7 grandchildren; 1 great-granddaughter. Served as professor of music and mathematics on campuses of Southwestern Adventist University, Enterprise Academy, Campion Academy, Highland View Academy, and Spencerville Academy.
Claridge, Wallace Oran, b. Aug. 7, 1943 in Denver, CO. d. May 12, 2025 in Lone Tree, CO. Member of Denver South Church. Survivors include wife Karen; son Andy.
Cross, Dallas L. b. Oct. 15, 1929 in Ft. Lupton, CO. d. Apr. 3, 2025 in Brighton, CO. Member of Ft. Lupton Church. Preceded in death by wife Loretta. Survivors include daughters Colleen Pope, Carla Fries, and Cheryl Esparza; 7 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren.
Eckard, Sarah Mae, b. Feb. 15, 1940 in Burwell, NE. d. June 20, 2025 in Oconto, NE. Member of Broken Bow (NE) Church. Preceded in death by 3 sisters; 1 brother. Survivors include 1 sister; 1 brother.
Eichele, Gordon J., b. June 25, 1933 in Sykeston, ND. d. May 26, 2025 in Jamestown, ND. Member of New Home (ND) Church. Preceded in death by 1 sister; 1 brother. Survivors include wife Geraldine; daughters Lorie Kosir and Lynn Flieth; sons Linnie and Randy; 6 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren.
Irankunda, Francine, b. Jan. 1, 1990 in Nyabihanga, Mwaro Province, Burundi. d. Apr. 30, 2025 in Sioux Falls, SD. Member of Sioux Falls Church. Survivors include husband Moses Ndayisavye; 1 daughter; 1 son.
McPherson, Betty, b. May 30, 1935 in Jamestown, ND. d. June 6, 2025 in Jamestown, ND. Member of Jamestown Church. Preceded in death by husband Mac McPherson; 1 sister; 4 brothers; 1 grandchild. Survivors include daughter Cyndi; sons Mike, Mitch, and Mark; 1 sister; 1 brother; 12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren.
Parry, IvaDawn, b. Dec. 23, 1932 in Minneapolis, MN. d. June 16, 2024. Preceded in death by 1 sister. Survivors include husband Robert; daughter Rebecca; sons Paul and Theron; 1 brother; 1 granddaughter.
Sanders, Leon Floyd, b. Mar. 5, 1937 in Terre Haute, IN. d. June 11, 2025 in Denver, CO. Preceded in death by wife Doris; son Ron. Survivors include daughters Cheryl LeAnn Beauchamp and Teresa Lynn Hochstedler; 5 grandchildren. Worked faithfully for the SDA Church for nearly 47 years.
Schmidt, Paul W., b. Nov. 12, 1933 in Pasadena, CA. d. May 30, 2025 in Aurora, CO. Member of Franktown (CO) Church. Survivors include wife Mafi; children Gary, Lisa Blackburn, and Steven; 1 sister; several grandchildren; 1 great-grandson.
HOW TO SUBMIT AN OBITUARY OR A CLASSIFIED AD
Please email information to Barb Engquist: Barb.Engquist@maucsda.org or mail typed letter to: OUTLOOK magazine PO Box 6128 Lincoln, NE 68506
September 2025
SUNSET CALENDAR
SERVICES
Apex Moving & Storage: Move with an award-winning agency. Apex Moving & Storage partners with the General Conference to provide quality moves at a discounted rate. Call us for all your relocation needs! Adventist beliefs uncompromised. Contact Marcy Danté at 800.766.1902 for a free estimate. Visit us at www. apexmoving.com/Adventist
SMARTER KIDS Research shows excessive TV causes kids to have trouble paying attention and thinking clearly. But when they listen their imagination is actively engaged. So fuel their imagination! Kids grow better with radio. Encourage them to listen at: LifeTalkKids.net
Greeneville Adventist Academy: Considering Rural Living? Explore Greeneville, TN! Located near the Smoky Mountains, Greeneville Adventist Academy has an accredited SDA K-12 day school program, supported by two constituent churches, prioritizing the Bible, evangelism, mission trips, academics, and a high-quality music program (voice, band, bells and strings). MyGAA. org/423.639.2011
Summit Ridge Retirement Village: An Adventist community in a rural setting that offers affordable homes or apartments and caring neighbors with a fellowship you’ll enjoy. On-site church-planned activities and transportation as needed. Also, Wolfe Living Center offering independent living and nursing home. Website: www.summitridgevillage. org or call Bill Norman at 405.208.1289.
FOR SALE
Shop for New/Used Adventist Books: TEACH Services offers used Adventist books at www.LNFBOOKS.com or new book releases at TEACHServices.com or your local ABC. Authors let us help you publish your book with editing, design, marketing and worldwide distribution. Call 706.504.9192 for a free evaluation.
EMPLOYMENT
YOU CAN CHANGE LIVES!!! Canvasback Missions is seeking dedicated couple of strong faith to be Co-Directors of our Wellness Center, Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands in the tropical North Pacific. More information: canvasback.org/ career/ or call 707.746.7828
IT IS WRITTEN is seeking qualified Seventh-day Adventist professionals who desire to serve the Lord through media evangelism. Our current full-time positions include: Director of Media Production, Trust Officer in Planned Giving and Trust Services, and Graphic Designer - Web. For more information and to apply online for these and other available positions, visit itiswritten.com/employment
Free Rent: Looking for someone to live next door to an elderly couple. An unfurnished apartment will be provided. The couple needs 2 vegetarian meals prepared and light housework each day. Sabbaths off. Payment of $1,000.00 per month. Contact: 660.235.8031.
Union Adventist University is seeking applicants for a history professor to teach various courses in global non-western history, cultural history, political science, and/or ancient/ classical history in the Politics,
History, and International Relations program. PhD in history preferred, master’s degree required. Full-time, exempt position. See job description and apply at uau. edu/employment
Union Adventist University is seeking applicants for Director of Records/Registrar, a full-time, exempt position. The registrar ensures the integrity, accuracy, and security of all academic and educational records and ensures compliance with federal, state, and other regulatory agencies. Excellent benefits, including tuition assistance. See job description and apply at uau.edu/employment
Union Adventist University seeks applicants for Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Director to provide leadership to the program and oversee the DPT Program. Full-time exempt position, with benefits including tuition assistance. See full job description and apply at uau.edu/employment
Union Adventist University seeks applicants for SALT (Soul-winning And Leadership Training) Program Director to provide administrative oversight and ensure the strategic development of the program in harmony with It Is Written. Includes faculty teaching responsibilities. A master’s degree in religion/ ministry/theology is required. Full-time exempt position. See full job description and apply at uau.edu/employment
Union Adventist University seeks applicants for SALT (Soul-winning And Leadership Training) Program Outreach Coordinator/Registrar to be responsible for planning the Program’s outreach, assisting the director with programming, training, interviewing
and advising students, and other duties. Full-time position with excellent benefits. See full job description and apply at uau.edu/employment.
Union Adventist University is seeking applicants for EMS Coordinator in the International Rescue and Relief (IRR) Program. Full-time exempt position with benefits. The EMS Coordinator is responsible for developing and managing the EMS component. EMS Instructor Certification is required. See job description and apply at uau.edu/employment.
EVENTS
2025 Great Controversy Tours, March and September. See the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation come alive! Visit 60 places in 15 cities, including Rome, Italy, and Reformation sites in the Waldensian Valleys, Switzerland, Germany, and France. A truly exciting experience! Call +1.470.833.2887 or email GCtours@naver.com
Join Streams of Light International for life-changing mission trips! Share hope, spread truth, and experience the joy of service. Connect with people, pray with those in need, and make an eternal impact. Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or new to missions, there’s a place for you. Learn more at StreamsOfLight.net.
Oak Park Academy Alumni Weekend: September 12-13, 2025. Alumni, former faculty and staff are invited to this reunion weekend. Honor classes are: 1945, 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980-83. Location: Gates Hall, 825 15th St., Nevada, IA. Plan now to attend. For more information: Allayne Petersen Martsching, 402.312.7368 or email: allaynemartsching@gmail.com
Is it time for you to lead? Union’s Master of Science in Leadership prepares you to step into greater responsibility. You learn how to understand human behavior, communicate effectively, and solve big problems. Professors share a Christan worldview as they teach the skills you need to influence and grow organizations.
Complete this master’s degree in one year of full-time classes, or choose the part-time option. You can also elect to take classes remotely.
Enroll now. This is the time to step into leadership.
